African and Caribbean musicians refused Europe visas

African and Caribbean musicians are being refused entry visa in to Europe. The Points Based System (PBS), introduced in 2008 and based on the Australian immigration model, is a complex system that in summary designates artists entering the UK as potential migrants and therefore into tier 5 of the system which is the lowest ranking on terms of entry priority. Most artists are lumped together with a broad range of people from tourists, bands playing a one off gig, cultural dance groups and religious leaders.

The process of application to enter the UK is tortuous and discriminates against artists from poorer countries, as it requires applying in person to the nearest UK embassy many of which are many miles away. They will need to prove they have £800 in their account consistently for 90 days prior to application. They will need a sponsor organisation that requires detailed and onerous commitments to monitor and supervise the artist. Finally they will need to submit biometric proof of identity. These requirements are in my view purposely designed to impact on those from African or Asian countries – they are the quintessential bureaucratic epitome of nuanced institutionalised racism.

The effect of these rules is to create a cultural apartheid in Europe and the UK in particular where artists from Africa, Caribbean and Asia are being routinely denied entry into Europe.

The racial focus is quite obvious or how else does UK Border Agency explain the fact that their zealot border guards are also affecting African Americans. This weekend saw the world famous American rap group the Wu Tang Clan interrogated by immigration officials. “They treated us like the Taliban." complained Method Man.

Director of Freedom of Musical Expression (MUSE) Ole Reitovst commented:

“We have received numerous horror stories from concert organisers. When they receive wrong information or are being treated as ‘dirt’ by visa offices abroad, it creates an atmosphere of great frustration and sometimes lead to cancellation of planned tours.”

In an open letter to the Government and published by the Telegraph over 120 high profile figures such as Salaman Rushdie signed a letter saying the UK's points-based visa system is "inappropriate for short-term visits by artists".

Other signatories include Hanif Kureishi, Simon Singh and David Hare.

The letter challenges the discriminatory nature of the visa application process and calling on the Prime Minister to re-designate visiting artists as tourists rather than potential migrants.

The letter states;

"as short-term visits by artists have no impact on migration, there is no need to administer their entry via the points-based system."

"Writers and performers who have long been welcomed by Britain now find that they are required to undergo a visa application process that is needlessly bureaucratic and intrusive".

"Non-European Union artists wishing to enter the country have been treated poorly, either through the application process or at entry points".

"The 'licensed sponsors' system places a burden on arts organizations, many of which cannot afford the cost or cope with the administrative burden. Nor do they wish to be required (or are in many cases able) to 'monitor' the artists they invite".

The current regime is undoubtedly discriminatory and imposes harsh and unfair visa requirements by Europe on artists seeking entry to work. African, Caribbean and Asian artists seeking to work in the UK are unfairly disadvantaged by such draconian visa restrictions. As a result of similar visa restriction being applied by the US these artists are becoming the victims of a global cultural assault on developing world artists that in affect is a denial of their to right to trade.

Here in the UK Government is preventing British people from accessing authentic global culture and reinforcing the racism that resides at the core of our immigration policy.

So when you begin to notice that the majority of music concerts here in the UK are preformed by white boys from Europe playing reggae, Bhangra and African high life don’t be surprised.

Lee Jasper